"Ora et Labora"

Saturday, February 24, 9:30-1:30pm
St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish
 
All active/retired faculty, graduate students and UVA staff are invited to join us and St. Anselm Institute chaplain Fr. Nicholas Hartman, O.P. for a special mini-retreat of fellowship, prayer, several short reflections on prayer, Mass and lunch. Registration requested to help with the count. 
As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us: "the soul must always be considered as plentiful, spacious and large....capable of much more than we can imagine....It is very important for any soul that practices prayer, whether little or much, not to hold itself back and stay in one corner."

Join other UVA graduate/professional students, researchers and postdocs from across the University for monthly Fellowship & Dinner+ events. Our primary goal is to create a forum for friendship and support across our disciplinary divisions, where we can find refreshment and encouragement in the commitments of others to their academic works and our shared Faith. To join the group list, fill out this REGISTRATION FORM. Unregistered friends always welcome to attend.

Questions? Interested in helping? Email grad student co-facilitators: Mary Clare Young (Classics, cdn3nm) or Bill Vincent (Philosophy, wbv4ke). 

Feb. 21, 2024 (Wed., 6:30-8:00pm, @ St. Thomas Aquinas Parish): Dinner +

March 20, 2024 (Wed., 6:30-8:00pm, @ St. Thomas Aquinas Parish): Dinner +

April 24, 2024 (Wed., 6:30-8:00pm, @ St. Thomas Aquinas Parish): Dinner +

Past Events

Contemplating Catholicism in the University: A Breakfast Discussion with Meghan Sullivan

Friday October 14, 2022 (8:30am)
St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish

University of Notre Dame Philosophy Professor Meghan Sullivan will join UVA students for breakfast and an open discusison on the life and trials of a faithful Catholic within our secular age. Join us for a light morning meal and the opportunity to ask your most pressing questions—what was Meghan's path for becoming Catholic while an undergrad at UVA? how Catholic contemplative practices harmonize with the active life of a student and a university professor? or even something more challenging like why does a just God permit suffering and death. RSVP recommended through this form to ensure we have enough seats.  Email Dr. Jocelyn Moore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with questions.

This program is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide."

Yes! YOU are invited to this outdoor/in-person event. Bring a friend! or just come to meet someone new.

Visit our Facebook page or new YouTube channel to enjoy the daily blossoming of an Easter Poetry Garland, where UVA faculty, students, and friends of the Institute share poems that express Joy!

 

Lenten Dinner & Discussion

The gift of silence: St. Rafael Arnáiz Barón's Spirituality for Troubled Times

February 28, 6:30-8:00pm  (Saint Thomas Aquinas University Parish)

Join for a very special evening and saint: St. Rafael (1911-38) found meaning within the difficulties of his brief life through faith, his Cistercian charism, and especially in the sacred space of silence. Our guest will be Sr. Maria Gonzalo from the Trappist Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, who with Catherine Addington (Spanish), is working on a project to translate and share more of St. Rafael’s writings and spirituality. A short reading (and some of his wonderful artwork) will be distributed before discussion; all are invited to join for 5:15 Mass and Lenten soup supper before discussion at 6:30pm. RSVP appreciated to Dr. Jocelyn Moore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Please join us and other new friends for an early semester evening of Joy, Mirth and Light. UVA Students, faculty and friends of the Institute will offer brief introductions to a famous or less well-known poet, and then they'll share a favorite poem. All, especially those with little exposure to poetry, are invited to attend and enjoy. Bring a friend or come to meet someone new. Refreshments at intermission. Contact Dr. Jocelyn Moore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with questions.

W.H. Auden (1907-1973), For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio: “The Flight into Egypt" 
Robert Southwell, S.J., (c. 1561-1595), "The Presentation"
William Dubbar 1465-1520), "On the Nativity of Christ"
Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J., (1844-1889), "That Nature is a Heraclitean Fire" 
Maya Angelou 1928-2015), "A Brave and Startling Truth"
T.S. Eliot (1888-1965), "Journey of the Magi"
Richard Wilbur (1921-2017), "A Christmas Hymn"
Basil Bunting (1900-1985), "Briggflatts, Part V"
Faltonia Betitia Proba (4th/5th century), "Christ's Nativiity in Virgilian Cento"
John Burnside, "Amnesia"
Christian Wiman (1966-  ), "From a Window"
George Oppen (1908-1984), "Psalm"
Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J., (1884-1889) "God's Grandeur"
Anon., "Celtic Blessing" (10th or 11th century)

What is L'Arche?

Thursday, February 28, 2019 (12:00pm)
A free lunch seminar
Image result for jean vanier Those who attend or work within university communities like UVA are acutely aware of what makes them different than most other people. But are we fundamentally missing something about who we and others are and what living within a community requires and returns? You're invited to attend this faculty-led lunch seminar on the life and writings of Canadian philosopher Jean Vanier, who in 1964 abandoned his academic career to aid, support, and live with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Vanier and the small L'Arche communities he helped create across the world will challenge us to rethink who we are, what it means to discover a vocation, and what the demands of Christ's love and the unity of the Church lead us to. Seats are limited, so reserve one by emailing Charles Kromkowski (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Jocelyn Moore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

UVA OpenGrounds, 6:00pm

 
On the eve of St. Anselm's Feast Day, we're hosting our first ever Poetry Night! Students, faculty and friends of the Institute will offer brief introductions to famous and less well-known poets and then share one of their favorite poems. All, especially those who don't consider themselves poets, are invited to attend and enjoy. If you are interested in adding to our list of poets and poems, please contact our postdoctoral fellow Jocelyn Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

St. Bernard and the Love of God

Friday, March 29, 2019
6:00-8:00pm
St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish
 
Interested in doing something special this Lent? It's not too late (!). Consider joining us and several Sisters from Our Lady of the Angels Monastery for a simple Lenten soup dinner and a reflection on St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s very short but beautiful 20th Sermon on the Song of Songs, a meditation on how we should imitate Christ in loving "sweetly, wisely, and strongly."  All are invited to attend.  
 
6:00pm Lenten Dinner, provided by the Knights of Columbus, following 5:15pm Mass; with the Sisters leading our discussion on "St. Bernard and the Love of God" in the downstairs Library @ 6:30 pm.
 
 
  
"The Lived Complementarity of Jacques and Raissa Maritain"
 
Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 6:00-8:30pm
St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish

Join us after 5:15pm Mass for dinner and a discussion of "The Lived Complementarity of Jacques and Raissa Maritain." Special guest Sr. Prudence Allen will introduce us to the deep, marital friendship of the Maritains, two important 20th-century Catholic intellectuals, who refocused our attention on the human person.  Help us with the dinner count by emailing Jocelyn Moore: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

  
 
 
St. Aelred on Spiritual Friendship
March 23, 2018 (Friday, 6:00-8:00pm)
A Lenten Dinner and Discussion with the Trappist Sisters of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery
 
Location: St. Thomas Aquinas Church Library, 401 Alderman Rd.
Join us as we welcome our special guests, who will introduce us to St. Aelred's classic yet deeply refreshing short book, Spiritual Friendship, which will help us see how our human friendships on Earth open a pathway to Christ and eternal friendship in Heaven. All are invited, so bring a friend or plan to meet someone new. RSVP appreciated but not required, and the St. Anselm Institute will even buy this book for you (!): email Dr. Jocelyn Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Free before 6:00pm? Join us and the Sisters for 5:15pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and then for the free Knights of Columbus Lenten soup supper at 6:00pm.
 
Tapas! and St. Teresa of Avila!!
Our new Taste for Friendship dinner series for undergrad/grad students will continue on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at 6:30pm in UVA OpenGrounds (on the Corner, across from the White Spot). We're serving a free Spanish tapas-theme dinner, which we're pairing with several writings on the theme of friendship by St. Teresa of Avila. Several faculty experts will attend, so prior experience not expected or required. All students are invited to this dinner, so email our Postdoctoral fellow Jocelyn Moore to help us with our dinner count. For a pre-dinner sampling of St. Teresa's writing on friendship, take a look at these selections.
 
 
 
St. Augustine, What is Friendship? 
  
We're starting our fall Taste for Friendship dinner series for undergrad/grad students on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017 at 6:30pm in UVA OpenGrounds (on the Corner, across from the White Spot). We'll serve a North African-themed dinner, which we're pairing with several writings on the theme of friendship by St. Augustine.  Several faculty experts will attend, so prior experience with St. Augustine not required. You should know that St. Augustine knew a lot about both bad (!) and good friends during his life, so everyone definitely is invited.  Reservations recommended, but not required. Email Institute Postdoc Fellow Jocelyn Moore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and let her know you're interested in attending or helping with some of the dinner prep.
 
For those interested, here are several St. Augustine readings on friendship.
Hoo’s ready for a little adventure? Looking for something to do that is free, local and yet off-the-path, then one of our special UVA student field trips may just be what you’re looking for. To help us work out event logistics, including a quick Dairy Market dinner and student transportation to and from UVA, please use this registration form to secure a place at our next local field trip event.   
Field Trip: Saturday, Sept. 16 (6:00-9:00pm)
“A Musical on the Life of Sr. Thea Bowman"
Charlottesville MLK Performing Arts Center
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited (but free) tickets for UVA students, so please complete registration form soon! Transportation from and back to UVA will be provided.
Did you know that the Church recently has given Franciscan Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990) the title "Servant of God," which places her on the canonization path to become one of the first Black Catholic saints from the U.S.? Come and learn more about her inspiring life and love of Jesus, as celebrated vocalist ValLimar Jansen and a large Gospel choir will perform 16 Spirituals and 4 Latin hymns that Sr. Thea Bowman joyfully sang to people around the world.  This dynamic musical also will include ValLimar performing one of Sr. Thea Bowman’s most famous and compelling speeches to a gathering of America’s Roman Catholic bishops in June 1989. 
(Not a UVA student, but interested in attending? Tickets can be purchased here. 
Special Event: February 26-28, 2016

40-hour Lenten Retreat

In this fifteenth year of serving the University community, the St. Anselm Institute will host a special Lenten retreat for all interested faculty on the weekend of February 26-28, 2016.  Our last retreat was five years ago, so all available faculty members--especially those who are new to the University or Institute-sponsored programs--are invited and encouraged to participate as their schedules permit. For those unfamiliar with the ancient practice of momentarily retreating from one's personal and work responsibilities, the general outline of this 40-hour retreat is described below. 

Hey students, faculty and Institute friends, we're offering 3 new reading group opportunities this spring.  No experience required, so join one or more! and invite others to do the same.

Group I: Flannery O'Connor Short Stories

A bit pressed for time? Then this is your group.  We'll will meet two Friday afternoons in April to enjoy several Flannery O'Connor short stories. Not familiar with Ms. O'Connor?  Don't worry about it: we promise a wonderful and twisted adventure! Not prone to risk-taking? We'll have the experienced and ethereal Religious Studies professor emeritus Bill Wilson on hand to share his helpful insights into the wonderful world of Flannery.  Heck, were so convinced that you'll enjoy this group and Flannery O'Connor that we'll buy The Collected Works of Flannery O'Connor for you!    

April 1: "Judgment Day" and "Displaced Person"

April 15: "Parker's Back" and "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

UVA Monroe Hall, Room 134, 2:00-3:00pm.

Group II: St. Augustine, City of God

UVA alum Anne Tew and Religious Studies Professor Emeritus Bill Wilson will lead the interested and the uninitiated through St. Augustine’s monumental work of Christian apologetics.  This class will meet on alternative Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm. Room: Monroe 122.  Arrive early for FREE PIZZA!  UVA students also will receive a free copy of City of God to keep for your personal library. To add your name to this group's list, contact Anne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or email the Institute at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
Schedule
Mar. 1: City of God, Books 1, 4 & 8 (Books 2-3, 5-7 & 9 optional)
Mar. 15 : City of God, Books 10-12
Mar. 29 : City of God, Books 13-14
Apr. 12 : City of God, Books 15-17
Apr. 26 : City of God, Books 18-20
May 10 : City of God, Books 21-22
 

Group III: Laudato Si!

Friday, February 19, 2016 (5:30-8:30pm)
 

The St. Anselm Institute will host a special faculty & friends of the Institute dinner colloquium on Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si'!  We'll meet at 5:30pm, with a simple Lenten dinner served around 6:15pm. Discussion of the encyclical will follow dinner.  Interested attendees are expected to have read Laudato Si', but we've also invited several faculty, including Kevin Hart, Gerry Fogarty SJ, Catholic University of America theology professor Paul Scherz and Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P. of  the St..Thomas Institute, to offer initial comments on various parts of the text.  After their preliminary comments, we'll open up the discussion to the full group. Given space limitations and as an aid for our dinner preparations, please let us know if you'll be able to join us. Sorry, but limited seats available for this event. RSPVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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